Enrollment and Communications
Optimizing Marketing Reach
From social media to student recruitment, charters require effective strategies to attract and retain both families and community stakeholders. Showcasing their unique programs, educational philosophies and academic achievements helps to differentiate them from traditional district schools and other competing institutions. In addition, ongoing communication is essential for building trust and maintaining positive relationships with parents, students, staff, and the wider community. Building a marketing plan and implementing it consistently is essential to driving enrollment, retention and community engagement.
The time for attention to marketing has never been greater. After a steady increase in K-12 enrollment between 2011 and 2018, Colorado’s public school enrollment declined in 2020 and 2021, setting state-wide enrollment back to 2015 levels. While the state’s charter school enrollment is at a historic high, many charters are finding they must adjust their marketing and communication strategies to ensure full enrollment. We believe every charter school is uniquely positioned to meet market demand with the right approach.
CONNECT Cohort
Designed for communications staff, marketing teams and registrars, our CONNECT Cohort provides the first step in accessing ongoing training opportunities and best practices in the broader areas of charter school marketing, communication and community engagement. Offering ample networking and collaboration, the focus is on creating an active learning community for discussing and sharing best practices on a variety of pertinent topics, including brand awareness, community outreach, student recruitment, communication and family retention programs.
CONNECT cohort meets on the 2nd Thursday of each month from 12-1PM, including 9/14/23, 10/9/23 (at the Leadership Summit), 11/9/23, 12/14/23, 1/11/24, 2/8/24 (open office hours), 2/26/24 (at the Annual Conference), 3/14/24, 4/11/24 and 5/9/24. For questions, email [email protected].
Workshop Series
This hybrid series of community engagement, school recruitment and continuous enrollment workshops is the next step in development for both school leaders and site-based owners of enrollment and community engagement. Because enrollment is a responsibility that can and should be shared across teams, this session will help attendees set a new vision and norm for school recruitment across their school, while deep-diving into a wealth of practices, tools, and frameworks that can be adapted to any context. Focusing on a top-down approach, our goal is to drive best practices that help schools grow, expand and meet enrollment goals. Each session will provide ample work time for attendees to start putting ideas into motion while developing policies, procedures and strategies that can exist beyond changes in staff.
Individualized Consultation
Cost: Varies
For those schools that require additional support beyond what can be gained from participating in our CONNECT cohort and annual workshop series, we offer individualized consultations and brainstorming sessions in the areas of marketing, communications, enrollment, and community engagement. Understanding the intricacies of how these areas intersect, we can deep dive into particular areas of concern, providing advice and best practices tailored to any school’s unique circumstance. From a simple phone call or series of emails to the utilization of outside, contract-based consultants we are here to help.
Crisis Communications
Cost: Free to member schools
Has your school received a call from the media about a negative story that’s brewing? Has something happened that you’re afraid could end up in the media? Because negative press can spin out of control quickly, swift action is required. We are available to assist you and your legal team with urgent crisis communications responses to the media.
Our Marketing Partner
Hive Digital Minds is a K12 solutions provider and proud partner of the League, helping to provide school marketing support services to our Colorado charter schools. Their team specializes in working directly with school leaders to assess current programs and launch new ones. From student recruitment plans to family engagement programs, and everything in between, they are committed to ensuring school leaders have the support and resources they need to build a thriving school community.
Check out the League’s latest successes and media recap here.
Guiding Documents
Free Member School Services
The League offers a wide-variety of free services to all member schools, including:
- Ongoing access to information, best practices and crisis support.
- Learning Communities that bring together peers from across the state to discuss current topics in specific areas, including board and governance, leadership, new school development, marketing and more.
- A Resource Library with guidelines, samples, checklists, and on-demand webinars
- Access to our Member Marketplace
- Unlimited job postings on the League’s website
- League Staff Site Visits
Want to learn more? Email us today to start the conversation.
- League Staff Site Visits
Want to learn more? Email us today to start the conversation.